AUBURN, ALA. — Govind Kannan, PhD, was named the new head of the Department of Poultry Science and the director of the Charles C. Miller Poultry Research and Education Center at Auburn University, effective June 1.

“Dr. Kannan was chosen for his extensive experience in academic research, university leadership and poultry and veterinary practice,” said Paul Patterson, dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture.

“This impressive background positions Dr. Kannan — as well as the poultry science department — for much success in the future. I look forward to welcoming him to Auburn and working with him in his new role.”

The Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University offers undergraduate and graduate academic training as well as extensive research and extension programming. Last fall, the department enrolled 52 undergraduates and 31 graduate students.

The head of the poultry science department also serves as director of the Charles C. Miller Research and Education Center, a 30-acre poultry farm with the latest technology, from breeding and hatching to nutrition and processing and more.

Kannan currently serves as Fort Valley State University’s vice president for land-grant affairs and economic development.

He previously served as dean and director of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology at Fort Valley State. At the university, he also had worked as assistant dean for research, director of the Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center and coordinator of the animal science undergraduate programs at Madras Veterinary College.

Prior to his time at Fort Valley State, Kannan served as a veterinary officer for a commercial poultry hatchery in Bangalore, India, and as an assistant professor at Madra Veterinary College.